Get your community involved. First involve the library community (staff, trustees, friends and volunteers). Then involve the public or your school, university, college or institutional community.

Organize a local committee.

Be flexible. The other library may have somewhat different objectives and expectations. Both libraries need to be involved in shaping the relationship.

If you are establishing contact with a library in a non-English speaking country, make sure you have someone on your staff or in your community who is fluent in the language of the other country and is willing to act as your liaison.